Black sheep with benefits
Q HAS A STACK of new bed linen to drop off to her uncle.
Flattened packets sit under her arm resembling classified files.
I look like I’m en route to represent someone in court.
This is notable considering this household has a habit of making Q defend herself.
She weaves through the back streets, sun and cicadas lighting her path. Finally Q walks down her uncle’s gravel driveway and into the garage.
Her Uncle Taito scoffs upon seeing her. She feels the life-long familiarity of her shoulder blades tightening.
—What have you been doing all day?
Q could easily talk about the bakery, returning eleven library books, weeding the garden, getting her hurricane nephew to sit still during a haircut, or her plans to meet up with the girls. But Q knows to preserve her energy. She already knows her uncle takes a
